Published on October 24, 2025 by Gunnar Sadowey  
CMA Awards 2025

Samford University student media outlets were honored with multiple national awards at the 2025 Pinnacle Awards, presented by the College Media Association during MediaFest 25 in Washington, D.C. The event brought together college journalists and advisers from across the country to celebrate excellence in student media.

Samford earned top honors across several categories, showcasing the creativity and professionalism of its student journalists and designers. Samford students competed in Division II, for colleges with enrollments ranging from 3,000 to 9,999.

  • 1st Place: Literary Magazine Spread (Div. II–III)—Sojourn, “A Walk in the Forest,” by Abby Litton
  • 2nd Place: Special Section Cover (Div. II–III)—The Samford Crimson, “Celebrating 100 Years of a Student-Led Crimson,” by Andrew White
  • 2nd Place: Breaking News Story (Print/Web, Div. II)—The Samford Crimson, “Students Protest Increased Parking Prices,” by Kate Seaver and Sydney Pulliam
  • 2nd Place: Multimedia Sports Story (Div. II)—The Samford Crimson, “Hook, Line & Sinker,” by Meg Robinson
  • Honorable Mention: Yearbook Cover (Div. II–III)—Entre Nous, “Entre Nous 2025,” by Hanna Allen and Madison Johnson
  • Honorable Mention: Yearbook Division Page (Div. II–III)—Entre Nous, “Student Life,” by Hanna Allen, Madison Johnson and Meg Robinson

“These honors reflect the exceptional talent and commitment of our student media teams,” said Will Heath, media and professional development adviser for Samford’s Department of Communication and Media. “I am eternally grateful to be associated with such a talented and driven group of students, as well as the Communication and Media faculty who teach and support them every day.”

The Pinnacle Awards recognize outstanding achievements among college media organizations nationwide, honoring excellence in journalism, design, photography and multimedia storytelling.

Samford’s Department of Communication and Media provides students with hands-on experience through publications like The Samford Crimson, Sojourn and Entre Nous. These outlets prepare students for professional success while fostering creativity and collaboration across disciplines.

Support Samford Student Media
Gifts to the Department of Communication and Media help provide opportunities for students to gain real-world experience through national conferences, competitions and travel. To support these initiatives, visit samford.edu/give and, in the designation line, type “Communication and Media” and select the Student Travel Fund option.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.